Why Does Winter Make Aches Feel Worse? (and What You Can Do)

Plenty of people feel stiffer when it's cold. Here's what's likely going on, and simple ways to stay comfortable through the winter.

Every winter, we hear the same thing: "My knees feel worse in the cold," "My back is stiffer this time of year." You're not imagining it. Plenty of people feel achier in winter. Exactly why isn't fully settled, but a few everyday things likely play a part.

What might be going on?

• Cold makes you tense up. You hunch your shoulders and brace against the wind.
• You move less. Shorter days and bad weather cut into walks and workouts, and stiffness builds when you sit more.
• Your hands and feet get cold as your body keeps warmth in your core.
• Shorter days and holiday stress can leave you tired, and aches feel harder to shrug off.

What actually helps?

The basics matter most: keep moving even when it's cold, dress in layers, warm up before you exercise, and keep up your stretching routine. Indoor options like a stationary bike, a pool, or a class can keep you going when the sidewalks are icy.

Where Recovery Sessions Fit

An infrared sauna session is a relaxing way to get warm all the way through on a cold day. A BrainTap session is a quiet half hour to wind down during a busy season. If your knees are the problem, there is low-certainty evidence that red light reduced knee osteoarthritis pain at the doses studied, mostly with lasers or clinical LED arrays. PEMF research in knee osteoarthritis is mixed and modest.

If you're already seeing a chiropractor, read how chiropractic care and PEMF fit together. If an ache is new, getting worse, or comes with swelling or redness, see your doctor. DWT Wellness is in Cedar Knolls, and your first session is free. Call us at (973) 908-1524.